Bebb’s Hybrid Oak
Arbor Walk #145, Treekeeper ID #6550
This oak is a spontaneously occurring hybrid of the White Oak (Quercus alba) and the Bur Oak (Q. macrocarpa). Natural occurrences are found as far south as St. Louis and as far north as Ontario and Quebec, but primarily within the upper Midwest where both of these species are common. Although it is a relatively common hybrid given the prevalence of these two species, our Bebb’s Hybrid Oak is a cultivar created from a wild seedling found next to a Taco Bell restaurant, its namesake. This cultivar appears more similar to the White Oak than the Bur Oak when identifying, and is impressively resilient in its growth.
The Bebb’s Hybrid Oak is a member of the subgenus of white oaks. These oaks are distinguishable from other oaks from their smooth lobe tips (no awns), their hairless leaf undersides, and their lighter, flakier bark. The acorns of white oaks are also less tannic; in the Bebb’s Hybrid Oak, enough so to be potentially eaten raw.
Common Names | Bebb’s Hybrid Oak |
---|---|
Latin Name | Quercus x bebbiana |
Indigenous Name(s) | |
Cultivar/Variety | ‘Taco’ |
Commercial Name |
More about Tree #145:
Where to find Arbor Walk #145
Data on the space around this tree
Data on this tree over time
More about Bebb’s Hybrid Oak in general:
How to identify Bebb’s Hybrid Oak
Relationship of Quercus x bebbiana to other species in the Arboretum
Global Distribution of Bebb’s Hybrid Oak
Additional Resources on the Bebb’s Hybrid Oak
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